Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Esca doesn't belong to me! But the billion original characters in this fic are mine… And if anyone tries to take them from me, they'll answer to my flame-thrower! *Grins diabolically* A/N: Enjoy! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 7: I Don't Want To Cry It was about a month after the wedding; Hitomi and Van were sitting down to breakfast, when a scout rushed in with military news. "Your majesty, Zaibach has attacked eastern Fanelia. You're needed at the front lines Milord." (A/N: The first part of the quote sure is familiar... @_@) "I, Van Fanel, King of Fanelia, will fight alongside my people." "No Van! Please! Don't leave me!" Hitomi cried out to her husband, falling to her knees and sobbing into her skirt. Van bent down to comfort her. "It's alright. I'll return. But I must fight. To protect our people, to protect you." He said, lifting up her chin, so she was looking straight into his eyes. "I don't want you to protect me if it's going to cost you your life." She exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Despite his pleas, she tore off down the hallway. "Please don't cry for me." He stared at her retreating form hopelessly. She never turned back. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Hitomi…" He moaned, finding his wife in the gardens, staring off into space. "Why do you have to go?" She asked quietly, tears filling her eyes. "Jeez Hitomi… How many times do I have to say this?!" He asked her in frustration. "I'm sorry." She replied softly, looking away. "But… I keep seeing you… In my mind's eye… If you go, you'll die, Van…" She whispered. "You've had a vision, huh?" He asked, leaning on the hilt of his sword, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Yeah. I hate them… I wish I couldn't see them… Ever…" She threw a rock into the lake, it made a rather loud sound, making her flinch. "There's nothing you can do. It's best to try to make the best of it. Overall, they've done us several good turns." He commented, sitting beside her. "I don't care. I'm tired. I don't wish to live a life seeing all these bad things happen and not being able to do anything to stop them." She kicked the ground in frustration. "Hitomi… Please… Please ignore this one… Please believe in me… I give you my word… I'll return to you…" He took her hand. "I believe in you. I'm sorry, Van." She let him hug her as she chanted softly. Please let him be alright… Please God… Protect him… *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "It's been so long since I've seen him…" Kagome whispered.
"Hitomi… He'll come home… Please don't worry about him…" Merle replied softly, biting her nail, she knew she herself couldn't keep the thoughts of him lying dead on a bloody battlefield out of her mind either. "You don't get it." Hitomi said, slight anger creeping into her voice. "I have visions… He dies in every single one… Do you know what it's like? Seeing him die? Every time you turn around? They won't go away. It's going to happen. Very soon…" She shuddered at the thought. "Are you trying to scare me?!" Merle shrieked. "STOP IT! YOU'RE SO CREEPY!" She ran from the room angrily. "Ah." A slight blush crept to her cheeks. "Gomen." She then turned to stare out the window longingly. Fires burned in the distance. The enemy was drawing nearer. Soon they would enter the city. Everything would be destroyed. She shook her head angrily. STOP IT! YOU'RE MAKING THESE BAD THINGS HAPPEN YOU STUIPD GIRL! If I wasn't so weak and pathetic, maybe I could do something… But afterall, I'm me! Lady Hitomi, the seeress who is captured by every evil guy on the planet. Hitomi, the girl who is always in the way and can't even defend herself for a second unless Van or Allen are nearby! I'm tired of being helpless! I want to help! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi was sitting by the sea in Asturia. She was on a visit to Millerna and Dryden, who were now the prosperous rulers of their happy kingdom. Hitomi just didn't want to tell anyone. She knew something had changed. Within her. No one knew. But she'd know when the time was right. The caws of seagulls echoed and the blue ocean sparkled.
So many memories… Memories of betrayal by late King Aston, memories of Allen and Millerna's forbidden love, memories of a feather...
** Flashback **
Van was being beaten, and it was all her fault… She heard his groans of agony as the club ripped through his tanned flesh. The pink haired man stood there, smirking, the hideous green snake twisted around his neck in a grotesque and frightening manner. Van wouldn't answer; it would be obvious to anyone who knew him. Van didn't give in under pressure. It just wasn't like him. The ugly man swaggered over to her and introduced himself, and his snake, Nina… That was her name… Wasn't it? It still sent shivers down her spine. The serpent began to wind itself up her body, painfully slow, while Van demanded for it to stop, but Nina, nor her master, were about to listen. Nina gave Hitomi a "kiss" and she cried out in fear.
Her pager had gone off then, the Zaibach soldiers were baffled with suspicion, giving Van the opportunity he needed. He kicked an idle man and his sword flew from its sheath, cutting the rope that bound him. He slashed through all the soldiers around him their crimson blood soaking the ground in a disturbing manner.
"That's enough Van…" She muttered, but it wasn't enough, not until that awful man was dead. Van had flown off to destroy the energist mine, and somehow, the energists reacted to each other, causing a massive explosion. The ground had broken beneath her and she screamed as she fell downward, knowing she was at death's door while Merle clung to the hole's rim.
Amano…Allen… Van… Somebody… Help me… Were her desperate pleas, as she plummeted, expecting a swift and agonizing death.
She looked up through tear-filled eyes at what she thought was Allen coming to rescue her, although she knew that was impossible. But who could it be? It wasn't Allen… It was him… Van… And as he grasped her hand, she knew she was going to be alright. She was being held by an angel, afterall.
** Backflash **
The memory ended, and Hitomi turned red thinking of her childish blind love for Allen.
He loved Millerna… And Marlene… And maybe even Eries… That whole time… And I never even saw it… All I saw was him… And that I wanted him for myself…
I was such an idiot… She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief at her own stupidity. She bent over and crumpled on the soft grass, her stomach hurt again, she sighed, it was a painful experience to be a mother. She lay on her back, looking up at the clouds, and the two moons hanging in the sky. 'What a wonderful world...' She thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud melodic voice, "HITOMI!"
"Oh, Millerna." Hitomi said, bowing in respect for the young queen.
"Oh Hitomi, there you are." The young queen smiled at her friend.
"Dryden wishes to see you."
"Oh. Of course." Hitomi replied, following Millerna inside, taking a last glance at the sea.
The only thing Asturia has over Fanelia…
She entered the Asturian throne room where Dryden looked quite regal, sitting upon his throne, in the crown that was quite too large for his head, which was much slimmer than that of his predecessor. He didn't seem to be enjoying it; a frown crossed his face until he saw Hitomi and Millerna enter.
"Millerna." He said softly, a small smile crossing his unshaven face, kissing her softly as she blushed.
"You wished to see me, Dryden?" Hitomi bluntly asked, breaking their romantic moment.
"Ah, yes of course." Dryden replied, breaking away from the golden-haired maiden. Millerna nodded and sat in her own throne beside his, turning to glance at him thoughtfully.
"It is good to see you again, Hitomi."
"The pleasure is all mine, Dryden. I haven't seen either of you since I returned to Gaea." Hitomi said, smiling at the couple.
"Yes, it has been awhile hasn't it?" Dryden clapped his hands twice and a servant woman rushed forward, holding a bundle in her arms.
"What is it?" Hitomi asked, blinking curiously.
"You mean, who is it…" Millerna said, smiling at her bewildered guest.
"I'd like to introduce you to my son, Leonzar Aston Fassa."
"Oh, wow… I'm so happy for you." Hitomi said, holding the little prince in her arms.
"Isn't he darling?" Millerna remarked, smiling at her son.
"He reminds me of Chid." Hitomi commented softly.
"He has the same smile." She handed the baby back to its nurse and Dryden continued.
"Oh yes, I wish to give you my deepest thanks, Dryden. It was truly noble of you to send part of your army to assist us in battle against Zaibach. Van would express similar gratitude if he was able." She looked down at her feet.
"So how is Van?"
A melancholy look passed over her face.
"Is it that bad?" Dryden asked, arching an eyebrow in concern.
"I haven't heard from him in weeks..." She whispered softly, face downcast.
"I worry about him… I just hope he's alright…"
"My deepest regrets. Surely the burden of war is unwanted by any of those of the former alliance." Dryden replied sympathetically.
"I know everything will turn out all right… In the end… But still… I miss him…" Hitomi slumped to her knees and tried to stifle her sobs to no avail.
"Oh… Hitomi…" Millerna whispered, hugging her friend reassuringly.
"We were just wed… Now he's gone… I don't know what to do with myself… It's not fair… I don't want to cry anymore… I'm sick of it…" Hitomi said softly, tears pooling beneath her emerald eyes.
"I know it's not fair..." Millerna soothed her.
"But Van loves you… He'll return to you as soon as he's able… Until then… Crying may be the only thing you can do…"
"Everything… reminds me… of how much I miss him…" She whispered
"Hey! Why'd you kick me?!" Millerna barked indignantly.
"I didn't kick you." Hitomi replied in confusion, ceasing her tears.
"Then, who did?" Millerna asked furiously.
There was an uncomfortable pause.
"Jeez Millerna… You're a doctor! Figure it out!" Dryden commented in annoyance, rolling his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?!" Millerna called up to him from the floor, glaring at her husband. She then turned her glance back to Hitomi. Blinking in puzzlement.
Something's different about her… Her aura… It's changed… But how…?
"Why do I even try?" Her frustrated husband asked aloud, groaning.
"Oh… I see… You cut your hair!" Millerna smiled brightly. Everyone fell over anime-style at that comment.
"Just kidding!" She knew they'd just "love" that one.
"You're pregnant! Aren't you, Hitomi?"
Hitomi blushed.
"Well… umm… yeah…" She muttered, turning a lobster's shade of red.
"Well let me be the first to congratulate you." She beamed, hugging the girl closer.
"So, does Van know?" Dryden interrupted.
"No, he doesn't..." She replied reluctantly, looking down at her lap.
"But Hitomi… He's your husband… How is he supposed to trust you, when you don't tell him something big like that?" Millerna insisted in confusion.
"You know how stubborn he is... If he found out I was pregnant, he'd come home from battle, where he's needed… Then he'd be way too overprotective and I wouldn't have a moment's freedom until the baby was born, which is not going to be for awhile… And even if I convinced him to stay and fight, he'd be distracted… No, it's much better that he doesn't know..."
"I guess you know Van best..." Millerna replied, although she thought Hitomi wasn't handling this the right way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van sat in his tent, behind a dimly lit candle. The flame danced silently as he stared into it. He saw her deep green eyes; they haunted him so… It had been so long since he had left… Left his sweet Hitomi, for this bloody godless war… He had seen countless comrades slain on the battlefields, taking their last breath, before death overtook them… He had seen villages set aflame, countless dying in the inferno… His dreams were stained in crimson. Blood was everywhere, covering the walls, covering him, everything was red… He often dreamed of her, her emerald eyes filling with delight when she sat her eyes upon him, smiling at him, that special smile she reserved for only him. '
Damn it, why can't I be home? He missed her terribly. The only thing that kept him going was the fact that when this blasted war was over, he'd return to her...
"Hitomi…" He whispered, before extinguishing the candle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van awoke to heart-wrenching screams. He threw on his armor over his clothes that he'd fallen asleep in.
Running out of his tent he barked, "What the hell's going on?!"
"It's Zaibach, Milord. They unleashed a midnight attack on us. A quarter of our troops were killed as they slumbered." One of the soldiers reported with a grim expression.
"Damn you, Zaibach." Van muttered as he hurried off to get Escaflowne. He looked around in horror to see the bloody battlefield, strewn with the bodies of his men.
//They died to protect you... For you are a king of Fanelia...// His conscience hissed at him.
No, it's not my fault! He shot back defiantly.
//They're dead, they're dead, Van Fanel, and you're to blame…// Van fell to his knees for all those who had suffered… because of him...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi awoke early one morning, Varie's pendant glowing hotly.
"Van's hurting." She whispered, a defeated look crossing her face. She looked out the window, watching the sunrise.
"When the red sun rises, blood has been spilt." Hitomi said gravely.
"Blood of the innocents. Their blood now soaks the ground." She returned her gaze to the horizon. This turn of events looked far from promising.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well… I think this chapter is dramatically improved… Man… When I read my old chaps I shake my head in this disbelieving way. They are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO corny… God… I know they're still a bit corny, but I'm trying to lower it a bit… It's driving me nuts… @_@ Anyways, review if ya feel like it! I'll be glad when this whole thing is done and better!
Poll:
I'm tired of Trunks Gal… I'm going to select a new name for myself that's a bit more mature… I've had that name for what, two years now this spring? I'm really excited about changing! I'll decide by 12-31, so I'll have a new name for the new year! Right now I'm leaning towards E… I love LOTR! ^_^; Here's my ideas so far:
A. Déesse Bleue (Blue Goddess in French)
B. Crystal Twilight
C. Nobara (Wild Rose in Japanese)
D. Eternal Eclipse
E. Nucarkaiel (My Elf Name! ^_^)
F. Blood-Stained Rose G. Other or keep 'Trunks Gal'
Anyways, thanks for reading! Arigatou and Sayonara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~